The Hawaiian gazette., 1887-01-11
Ne>isun the Hiehwavman.
lEvrENANr-ooLoNEI J. R. CAMPBELL


Ct travellers, and face6ously termed
knights Of the road. few strike one
- - remarkable as that Of William
MNevlson- but whose real name Is sup
posed 10 have been John Brace or
Bracy- More than one Of the strange
incidents IN his career have been
falsely associated with Richard Tur-
pm by writers OF tiction-that Is to
say. Il We are 10 take the histories Of
The two men a given II the old book,
Lives Of the Most Notorious High
wsymen. Robbers and Murderers. as
81 all approaching the truth.
William Nevison was born Of we'll
-o-do uzrents al POmfret. IN York
n sfire. IN the year 1859. and kept at
E school I'll he was thirteen. at which
early age his criminal career may be
SAID 70 have commenced He thus
received the rudIments OF 2 decent
education. for he was a boy Of con
siderable talent But he appears to
have been iunately vicious. and to
nave from childhood exhibited the
ruling passion which accompanied
, HIM through life: his constant aim
beng 10 enrich himself at the ex-
pense Of other peOple-nOt excepting
ms own father.
William commenced his depreda-
rs by stealing one Of his fathers
silver spoons. but be was found out
and his parent. not liking TO fog the
: hoy himself. requested the school
/ master TO do 50. Probably the pun
5Shuaut was toierably severe. At
any rate il kn6le5 IN the boys mind
q keen desire 10 berevenged on his
elders. and lie spent a sleepless night
IN brooil-E over his plan. The
scLlolmasjer had q favorite pony,
which was kept IN q paddock. and
Williams scheme was 10 injUre the
uCl- Teacher by taking away this
pony. Ha. therefore. rose early In
the morning. moved quickly IN ms
fathers closet. stole MS keys. and.
having supplied himself with cash TO
the amount of 80. and q saddle and
birdie. which lie took from his
fathers stable. he fastened to the
paddock. saddled and bridled the
pony. aud then rode of at full speed
say what halts be made on the road.
but- al al events. he reached the
81 cspital al last. after for fear Of de
tecnon-cutting the throat Of the
poor animal a mile or two short Of
his destination. This act was. per
laps. the most cruel Of all he ever
committed Is q youth In London.
lie changed his name. and there sue
ceaded in obtaining employment OF
brewer. Although compelled for
while 10 be industrious. N order TO
obtain the necessaries Of life. Williams
mind was always on the stretch TO
invent some more expeditions mode
Of acquiring money than the simple
one of waiting for his annual pay:
cceer55uE-v Lie often attempted TO
rob his master. albeit. for long tine.
without success. One evening. how
ever. the brewers clerk was drunk
= ana asleep IN the Office. when William.
who had been watching him. found
al opportunity of robbing him Of his
KEYS with which he opened the
desks. and helped himself TO about
E2D Then. without waiting TO dis
cover who would be blamed for the
theft when the fact became known.
he sailed for Holland. He was now.
probably. verging into a young man,
although the story Of his life from
which I extract the present account
tgi1eR IL the old book | have lust
men6oned) Is generally silent as TO
dates
Change Of climate had no effect in
changing Williams nature. Through
his instigation. the daughter Of q
respectable citizen robbed her father
Of 8 large sum Of money and guam
1ity Of Jewels. and eloped with the
Englishmsn. They were. however,
pursued. taken. and committed to
prison and Nevlson would certainly.
then and there. have finished short
but villainous career had he not man
aged. somehow or other. to effect an
escape. With no small difficulty he
crossed into Flanders. and there en- T
listed into q regiment Of English
volunteers. under the command Of
the Duke OF York. As q soldier he
behaved himself well. and even &C
CURED some money which might be
called his own: but his restless dis
y position and craving for wealth did
not permit him to remain long with
the army. He deserted. went over to (
England. purchased a horse and
other tigis-ls accessories. and com
menced his depredations in q sys-
temaiic form. His success as q high .
wsyman was uncommon: every day
be found means to replenish his
Golfers, and TO noUrish his extrava-
Csnce. Nor would be unite with any
other rascal. who - from selfish
motives might feel disposed to par
ticipate in Williams lucrative EN-
ployment
One day Nevison lwho went also
L. IL. r..,a II I..Lr--,... III, !